Calcium Alkali Syndrome
Dec 27, 2023 16:42:03 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Dec 27, 2023 16:42:03 GMT 10
Calcium Alkali Syndrome
For many years greyhound trainers in order to care for their greyhounds to the best of their ability have been adding various amounts of calcium to the diet in an effort to provide an essential ingredient for the bone remodelling that occurs due to the stresses placed on the bone structure of the racing greyhound, and to try and avoid micro fractures and other bone damage.
All good.
Unfortunately far too often the situation also occurs where these same trainers in an effort to reduce stress on the greyhounds system after an hard run or race also routinely add an alkalising additive to their diets.
There are a considerable number of products on the market, and I have no interest in naming the products involved, which are specifically aimed at racing greyhounds, and most of which in their advertising promise to reduce the effects of acidosis while reducing dehydration.
In the process making trainers and carers of racing greyhounds believe that they are doing the right thing by their charges by including one of these products in their greyhounds after race or trial care routine.
Nothing could be further from the truth as the unfortunate reality is that routine use of an alkalising agent combined with the regular use of an added calcium supplement can and does cause severe and unrepairable damage to the greyhounds kidneys.
For many years the early human treatment for both stomach ulcers and acid reflux mainly consisted of providing high doses of calcium and an absorbable alkali (particularly calcium carbonate) for antacid relief until the consequences of doing so were realised, and the resulting kidney damage became know as the milk-alkali syndrome.
No such conclusions seem to have been formed when it comes to the treatment and care of racing greyhounds.
My only comment to this whole situation is to urge trainers to use alkalising agents only if no other choice exist in temporarily relieving an acidosis type problem until the dog can be bought to a veterinarian for the correct treatment, and to avoid the regular use of any of this type of product.
Cheers,
Tom
For many years greyhound trainers in order to care for their greyhounds to the best of their ability have been adding various amounts of calcium to the diet in an effort to provide an essential ingredient for the bone remodelling that occurs due to the stresses placed on the bone structure of the racing greyhound, and to try and avoid micro fractures and other bone damage.
All good.
Unfortunately far too often the situation also occurs where these same trainers in an effort to reduce stress on the greyhounds system after an hard run or race also routinely add an alkalising additive to their diets.
There are a considerable number of products on the market, and I have no interest in naming the products involved, which are specifically aimed at racing greyhounds, and most of which in their advertising promise to reduce the effects of acidosis while reducing dehydration.
In the process making trainers and carers of racing greyhounds believe that they are doing the right thing by their charges by including one of these products in their greyhounds after race or trial care routine.
Nothing could be further from the truth as the unfortunate reality is that routine use of an alkalising agent combined with the regular use of an added calcium supplement can and does cause severe and unrepairable damage to the greyhounds kidneys.
For many years the early human treatment for both stomach ulcers and acid reflux mainly consisted of providing high doses of calcium and an absorbable alkali (particularly calcium carbonate) for antacid relief until the consequences of doing so were realised, and the resulting kidney damage became know as the milk-alkali syndrome.
No such conclusions seem to have been formed when it comes to the treatment and care of racing greyhounds.
My only comment to this whole situation is to urge trainers to use alkalising agents only if no other choice exist in temporarily relieving an acidosis type problem until the dog can be bought to a veterinarian for the correct treatment, and to avoid the regular use of any of this type of product.
Cheers,
Tom